Jeff Seeman; Adrian Hill
Jeff Seeman; Adrian Hill.
NFL referee Jeff Seeman was suspended two games after exhibiting “unprofessional conduct” toward Cardinals tight end Trey McBride on Sunday, Oct. 4
Adrian Hill, also a referee in the league, received a one-game suspension after an on-field exchange with Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson
Both officials are reportedly suspended without pay following Sunday’s separate incidents
The NFL has suspended two of its referees for separate incidents involving “unprofessional conduct” against players.
NFL vice president of officiating Ramon George suspended line judge Jeff Seeman for two games and referee Adrian Hill for one game for “an instance of unprofessional conduct toward a player,” the league confirmed on Monday, Oct. 5.
The disciplinary action came after Seeman went viral for appearing to hurl curse words at Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride as the 26-year-old’s team played the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 4.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) leaps for yardage against New York Giants cornerback Greg Newsome II (20) during a NFL game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 4, 2026.
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) leaps at MetLife Stadium on Oct. 4, 2026.
His team lost 36-24 to the Giants, but McBride believed Giants cornerback Dru Phillips had interfered with his third-and-8 pass from Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett that was ultimately incomplete, per ESPN.
Moments after McBride complained to Seeman about the play, sideline cameras showed Seeman mouthing inaudible words, appearing to be expletives, to McBride, who seemed surprised by Seeman’s conduct.
“This kind of behavior from an official towards a player is unacceptable,” NFL Players Association (NFLPA) executive director and union leader JC Tretter said in a statement on X.
His post also contained a clip of the alleged incident.
“Players are consistently held accountable when the roles are reversed. We expect the NFL to hold officials to the same standard,” the retired offensive lineman who played eight seasons in the league added.
The second suspension involved an incident between Hill and Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson.
Our new app is here! Free, fun and full of exclusives. Scan to download now!
Though the team won 15-10 over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Hill briefly took issue with Wilson, 32, falling into Hill after another player pushed him during the game. The physical contact resulted in Hill being knocked down before he got up and yelled for Wilson to go away.
“That was funny, honestly,” Wilson told reporters in the Vikings’ locker room, per ESPN. “I ended up apologizing to him and explained the situation. He was cool about it. He understood what was going on. He just said he didn’t want us fighting, me and [Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II]. He said he was just trying to break us up.”
Follow your favorite athletes on and off the field with PEOPLE’s free sports newsletter — sign up now!
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell also came to Hill’s defense on Monday, the outlet added.
“I think Adrian’s a really good official and does a really good job,” O’Connell said. “And I think that was just kind of a fast moment that happened and we can put it behind us hopefully.”
Both Hill and Seeman are reportedly suspended without pay, league sources told The Athletic.